A mid morning call from Fixture Secretary Rich Marnell is enough to raise the panic levels but this week’s call was to highlight a change of venue for the game. Bakewell's normal pitch was waterlogged so we were sent off to Lady Manners School further into the town. Rather predictably the change of venue saw the team arrive at differing times and we were finally together as a complete 18 with 25 minutes to spare! A quick pitch inspection soon confirmed that this pitch was hardly perfect and in the first half we kicked off attacking the shallow end.
As is often the case when you arrive late the home team normally start quickly and Bakewell were soon on the front foot putting their phases together nicely. With plenty of energy (from not warming up!) Moderns stood firm and some excellent early defence saw a turn over in midfield and it was soon the turn of the visitors to attack. Their efforts were rewarded when whistle blower Ray Charles penalised the home side’s enthusiastic flanker from joining the ruck from the 5 metre board. Gaunt converted impressively putting the red and whites into an early 3 nil lead.
The lead didn't last for long and from an attacking scrum in the deep end the home sides pack got a good shove on and the subsequent backs move saw the home sides centre cross unopposed. With the conversion successful Bakewell now lead 7-3.
To the frustration of the home sides coach who was clearly a fan of England in the 80's the home sides fly half refused to kick every bit of ball they had to touch and the game opened up into a fascinating battle. With the merry whistle blower determined to spoil every lineout and Moderns making up new calls as they went along the set piece became a farce with old school non lifting seeming to be the preferred method for the visiting team. This was clearly a way of lulling Bakewell into a false sense of security as salmon esque McIntyre finally got his jump right and decent off the top ball saw the back row of Hayes and the head banded Radford penetrate the home sides defence. Quick ball saw the backs on the move and Gaunt entering the line wide made the telling break which finally saw Gubb ground the ball under the posts. The quality of the try was recognised throughout the crowd and it was pleasing to hear the applause of the Bakewell supporters as this was clearly a try to grace any game. Gaunt converted and Mods were 10-7 up.
With clear threats throughout the back line Moderns clearly fancied their chances and looked to attack at every opportunity. Another onslaught and with us winning the "he who shouts loudest wins the penalty" battle a further conversion from Gaunt saw the lead extended to 13-7. Too many times this year when we've needed the next points to open up a lead and turn the screw on teams we haven't and once this was the case. As half time drew nearer and plans were being made our preference for tag rather than full contact raised its ugly head and a soft try saw Bakewell reduce the lead.
Half time came and enthusiasm was taken from the fact we were still in front as Bakewell missed their conversion. Instructions were issued and with the elements partially favouring us we took to the second half looking to close out the game. If only!
With Bakewell on the front foot and chasing the game those on the touchline were confident that their over enthusiasm would lead to chances coming if we were patient. As I write this I still believe that we had the man power and style to beat them however we decided to extend the hand of friendship to the home side by playing with 13 men for the next 15 minutes. With the referee (yes him again) forgetting the release it law fly half Nick Carroll was ridiculously sent to the bin for trying to pick the ball off the floor (I kid you not). This rattled the visitors as without our play maker mature head we were going to have to tighten up more than we wanted to.
With our shape finally sorted and a common sense approach to the game - England in the 80's...whoops....we were happy to play rugby in the deep end but in a moment of madness flanker Collis allowed the ref to make his only correct decision of the day when after his third late hit in a matter of minutes he was stood next to Nick in the bin! 12-13 down soon became 30-13 up as to their credit Bakewell cashed in on the space left and with Moderns chasing the game holes began to appear everywhere.
The highlight for Moderns in these backs to the wall moments was the extremely vocal Brian Walls who was virtually reffing the game by this time. His inspirational "comments" and with 15 men back on the pitch saw Moderns end the game as it had begun with another smartly taken try from Gubb, converted again by Gaunt.
Man of the Match - Brian Walls
D*ck of the Day - Joe Collis |